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Thyme herb nutrition facts

Thyme herb is packed with numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients (plant derived compounds), minerals and vitamins that are essential for wellbeing. One of the popular among culinary herb plants, thyme originally is native to southern Europe and Mediterranean regions.

Botanically, it belongs to the family of limiaceae of the genus of thymus, which includes many subspecies among which the most popular variety is Thymus vulgaris or French thyme.

The thyme plant is perennial shrub with thin woody base and square stems. It reaches about 15 to 30 cm in length, featuring very small, light green colored, paler underneath, slightly curved aromatic leaves. Small, fragrant rich, lilac or white color flowers appear in summer.

The other commonly grown varieties of thyme are lemon thyme (T.x citriodora), caraway thyme (T. herba barona) and wild thyme (T. septyllum). Either leaves as well as flowering tips, fresh or dried used for culinary purposes.

Health benefits of thyme herb

  • Thyme contains many active principles that are found to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.

  • Thyme herb contains thymol, one of the important essential oils, which scientifically have been found to have antiseptic, anti-fungal characteristics. The other volatile oils in thyme include carvacolo, borneol and geraniol.

  • Thyme contains many flavonoid Phenolic antioxidants like zeaxanthin, lutein, pigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin. Fresh thyme herb has one of the highest antioxidant levels among herbs, a total ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of 27426-umol TE/100 g.

  • Thyme is packed with minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Its leaves are one of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.

  • The herb is also a rich source of many important vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and folic acid.

  • Thyme provides 0.35 mg of vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine; furnishing about 27% of daily recommended intake. Pyridoxine keeps up GABA (beneficial neurotransmitter in the brain) levels in the brain, which has stress buster function.

  • Vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

  • Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids like vitamin A and beta-carotene helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Thyme leaves offer significant levels of quality phyto-nutrients profile. Just 100 g of fresh leaves provides (% of Recommended daily allowance)

38% of dietary fiber,
27% of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),
266% of vitamin C,
158% of vitamin A,
218% of iron,
40% of calcium,
40% of magnesium and
75% of manganese
but no cholesterol.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Thyme herb (Thymus vulgaris), Fresh leaves,
Nutritive value per 100 g. ORAC value 27426,
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA
Energy 101 Kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 24.45 g 18%
Protein 5.56 g 10%
Total Fat 1.68 g 8.4%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Dietary Fiber 14.0 g 37%
Vitamins

Folates 45 mcg 11%
Niacin 1.824 mg 11%
Pantothenic acid 0.409 mg 8%
Pyridoxine 0.348 mg 27%
Riboflavin 0.471 mg 36%
Thiamin 0.48 mg 4%
Vitamin-A 4751 IU 158%
Vitamin-C 160.1 mg 266%
Electrolytes

Sodium 9 mg 0.5%
Potassium 609 mg 13%
Minerals

Calcium 405 mg 40.5%
Iron 17.45 mg 218%
Magnesium 160 mg 40%
Manganese 1.719 mg 75%
Manganese 106 mg 15%
Zinc 1.81 mg 16.5%
Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß 2851 mcg --

Selection and storage

Both fresh and dried forms of thyme herb are available in the herb store. Buy fresh thyme whenever possible since it is superior in nutrients and rich in flavor. The leaves of fresh thyme should feature fresh and be a light green in color, and free from any dark spots or yellowing.

Fresh thyme should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel. Dried thyme can be kept in a tightly sealed glass container and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place where it will keep fresh for up to six months.

Culinary uses

Thyme herb imparts intense flavor to the recipes and should be added sparingly. In order to keep the fragrance and flavor intact, thyme herb is generally added at the last moment in the cooking recipes. This is because, prolonged cooking results in evaporation of its essential oils.

Here are some serving methods:

  • Thyme herb tea is a popular health drink.

  • Thyme has been used in the preparation of season soups, and sauces.

  • The herb is one of the ingredients in bouquet garni along with bay leaf, parsley, and celery.
  • Thyme, along with other spicy items, has been used to marinate and stuffing to chicken, fish and meat recipes.

Medicinal uses

  • Thyme contains many important essential oils, which are found to have anti-septic and anti-fungal applications.

  • Throat gargling with tepid thyme water or drinking few sips of thyme tea may help relieve coughs, sore throat, and bronchitis symptoms.

  • Thyme based formulations has been used as anti-septic mouthwash in the treatment of caries and gingivitis. //

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